Healthcare
South Africa — Healthcare: Public Healthcare
Health system indicators for South Africa, from World Bank Open Data: current health expenditure 8.9 % of GDP (2023); government share of current health expenditure 62 % (2023); out-of-pocket share of current health expenditure 7 % (2023); physicians 0.8 per 1,000 people (2022); hospital beds 2.3 per 1,000 people (2010); life expectancy at birth 66.3 years (2024).
VerifiedGovernment / official sourceWorld Bank — World Development Indicators (World Bank Open Data)Last reviewed: 2026-10-18
Key facts
- Current health expenditure: 8.9 % of GDP (2023)
- Government share of current health expenditure: 62 % (2023)
- Out-of-pocket share of current health expenditure: 7 % (2023)
- Physicians: 0.8 per 1,000 people (2022)
- Hospital beds: 2.3 per 1,000 people (2010)
- Life expectancy at birth: 66.3 years (2024)
Steps
- Registration with the Department of Health — Individuals must register with the Department of Health to access public healthcare services. Registration is usually done at the local clinic or hospital.
- Obtaining a Medical Card — Individuals who are eligible for government-subsidized healthcare may be issued a medical card, which is required to access certain services.
Costs
- Registration fee: varies by province
- Medical card issuance: free for those eligible, but varies for others
Timelines
- Registration process: 1-3 weeks
Required documents
- Identity document
- Proof of income or employment
- Proof of address
Common mistakes
- Assuming that the public healthcare system is available to everyone
- Not registering with the Department of Health in a timely manner
What these figures do not cover
These are national statistics. Who is eligible for the public system, how a foreign resident enrols, what it costs and waiting times are not covered here.